“It’s ongoing, but the entity only allowed us to use half of the droids force. It’s using the other half and building others at an alarming rate.”
“For what purpose?”
“It’s building a shield around Earth, to prevent what the planet just suffered from happening again.”
“Shouldn’t we be building that shield?”
“Yes we should, but we would never reach that level of efficiency. Nor would we have redirected so many resources towards achieving that goal so fast. Not with all the work we have building new ships, repairing damage and building new satellites. There’s too much to do at once. Gaia is focusing on one task alone, and with its incredible computing capability it’s going at least ten times faster than we would.”
“Well, besides the fact that she could also be building an army to use against us at the same time, at least the shield is a good idea.”
“She?”
“It, whatever! Don’t give it a name if you don’t want me to call her a she.”
“Point taken. Still it or she is alive and sentient, so it doesn’t really matter what we call it.”
“Yeah. Sentient or not, this is a threat. We can’t just live under her rule like this, not for long.”
“I know, but right now at least it doesn’t seem intent on wiping us out.”
“It may just be buying time until it feels it can defend itself.”
“And that’s why we’re working day and night on a way to neutralize it. We already have a plan, should it come to that.”
Adonis exhaled in a way that left no room for doubt about his frustration.
“What is it?”
“It never seems to stop, that’s what it is.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ever since the Obsidian nearly wiped us out, we’ve been on the run, hiding, fighting for our lives. There never seems to be a moment to catch our breath. It’s starting to take a toll on me.”
“I know how you feel. Now, on to less pleasant things.”
Saroudis grinned. “The Iron Fire incident?”
“Yes, the incident, as you say. This time your precious Chase went too far.”
“You pushed him into an impossible position.”
“Not if he followed orders.”
“That’s easy to say from your point of view. Try putting yourself in his shoes.”
“That’s not how the chain of command works.”
“I know, and I know you like things done a certain way.”
“These are rules we’ve established because they work. I don’t do it because I like it.”
“Nonetheless, I think if we had done everything by the book since the initial Obsidian attack, we’d be all dead by now.”
“What are you saying?”
“That the chain of command is important, but sometimes rules need to be broken. Or, at the very least, bent.”
“I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Especially coming from you.”
“Well, I’m sorry, Admiral, but even though I don’t condone what Chase has done, I understand why he is doing it. If I had the chance to save any member of my family . . .” But then he stopped short and tears formed in his eyes. “I . . . I would give everything to have been given the opportunity to save them. I can’t blame Chase for doing the same for Sarah and his unborn child.”
“Admiral, is it? Fair enough. You’re a soldier, you have orders, you follow them. That’s how we work, and without this all we get is chaos. And I’m dearly sorry for your personal loss, but never forget we are in the same boat. I lost everyone I cared about also.”
“And that’s why I don’t understand this resentment you harbor towards Chase. All he has done is try to save lives up until now.”
“What about Tokyo?”
“Alright, Tokyo is something that shouldn’t have happened. But if it saves the rest of the planet, then that’s unfortunate collateral damage. But let’s not forget that he saved this planet before. More than once. There wouldn’t be a Tokyo without Chase.”
“That’s where we disagree, I guess. That doesn’t give him the right to be judge, jury and executioner.”
“Argos went to the surface first. Chase just followed.”
“This is pointless. We will never agree on this front. Chase is an insubordinate hot head who doesn’t think before he acts, yet you take his side. Why?”
“He is also my friend.”
“I thought I was your friend,” said the admiral, with unmistakable sadness in her voice.
“You are. I don’t like being between the two of you. I care for both of you on different levels.”
“I see. You understand I can never reinstate his commission if he ever returns?”
“Understand, yes, but I will never forgive you if you don’t.”
Her eyes grew wide. “What the hell are you saying, Adonis?”
“It’s best if you address me by my rank, Admiral. And I’m saying that if you are not prepared to at least give Chase the benefit of the doubt, then be prepared to receive my resignation.”
“You can’t be serious Ad—” She caught herself. “Commodore Saroudis.”
“I’m dead serious. In fact, I’m requesting permission to go after Chase and his friends.”
She looked into his eyes for a very long time, trying to decide what had just happened and how it had gone so wrong so quickly.
“Request denied.”
“One of your officers is with him. Don’t you care about her wellbeing?”
“That’s neither here nor there. Commander Steriopoulou was poisoned by Chase.”
“That’s nonsense!”
“She was the most obedient officer I ever worked with until we found you on Droxia.”
Saroudis hit the desk with his fist, unable to control his anger. “Was? Really! You’re already counting her as dead because she isn’t your property anymore? Is that what this is all about, Admiral? You being in command, things being done your way? If that’s what we stand for now, I’m not sure I want to be part of it! I’m going after Chase. You can shoot at the Destiny if you want to, but I’m done with this shit.”
“Commodore Saroudis! That’s enough! I’ll give you one and one chance only to reconsider and apologize for this gross display of insubordination! Don’t throw your career away for this!”
He smiled. “So you show your real colors now.”
“And you do the same.”
“That’s not true. I’m being true to myself, and if you also are, then I have greatly misjudged you. To think I could even see a fu—” He stopped short. “Never mind that. You are the admiral. Do what you have to do.”
“Sorry to interrupt,” said a voice coming from all around them.
Admiral Thassos jumped out of her chair. “Who is this? Identify yourself!”
“My name is Ares and I’m sick and tired of hearing you two argue while your officers, your friends, are fighting for their lives.”
“This doesn’t concern you. You have no jurisdiction in our affairs,” said the admiral.”
“All the same, now is not the time for this. Are you really willing to risk everything and everyone on the planet below, as well as everywhere else in the galaxy, because you disagree with one another? Are your pride, your ego, your principles, really worth billions of lives?”
There was silence.
“Right, Chase can be a pain in the ass. I know firsthand how arrogant, defiant and quick to act he can be. But for fuck’s sake, his heart is in the right place at least. He sees beyond the shackles of protocol and rules. All he cares about is life. Ask yourself this question: do you?”
“How dare you insinuate that I don’t think of the lives of everyone in the Alliance?” The admiral fumed.
“Simple. You were about to arrest him because he didn’t agree with you, preventing him from saving his family for reasons you understand very well. But your stubbornness for doing things by the book blinds you from seeing things straight. As for your, Sa
roudis, ever heard the word ‘diplomacy’?”
Neither knew what to answer, stunned by what was unfolding.
“You have an entity down there that tells you it is Earth itself, and after all the pain and suffering its inhabitants have caused it over the last centuries, it’s still willing to negotiate with you, against its better judgment. It has plenty of reasons to eradicate the humans, and you both know it! But look in the mirror. You can’t even act like human beings amongst yourselves! Sometimes I wonder why we bother, really!”
Thassos let herself fall back on her chair. But it was Saroudis who spoke first. “I’m sorry. I . . . Ares is right. We should try to help each other, not fight.”
“Perhaps you’re right. I’m used to doing things a certain way.”
“And that’s understandable, but the universe is in trouble right now. It may be a good time to start looking at the problem from a different point of view,” said Ares, appearing before them as a golden aura, shining warm and peaceful light upon them.
The apparition had a calming effect on both of them.
“Please understand your efforts to build a new Earth Alliance are just incredible. Don’t let personal disagreements get in the way of that. We will all need this Alliance. It’s the only way you can hope to survive, and surely you can feel that within you.”
“I did not expect Olympians to lose their temper like that,” said Saroudis, still not sure that what was unfolding was real.
“You’re not dreaming, Saroudis. I’m real.”
“You look so different from Aphroditis.”
“That’s because I’m dead.”
They both looked stunned.
“Long story, and not important right now. There are enough problems in the universe and on the surface of the planet below, so please stop this. Help your friends. They need you now, more than ever.”
Admiral Thassos looked at Saroudis for a moment. “You can take the Destiny and as large an escort as you need for your support mission.”
“Thank you, Adm—Ally. I’m sorry for my outburst.”
“As am I, Adonis. Let it be a lesson for both of us.”
“Agreed.”
She stood to face Ares’ bright, golden energy. “Thank you, Ares. I must admit I had trouble believing in the Olympians and their motives, but you sure know how to make an entrance.”
“Aphroditis and I are not in agreement with the rest of my people, but that’s another story. I feel Chase might need my help shortly, so I’m going to have to leave now. Thank you for listening.”
She nodded. “Bye for now.”
And then the golden reflections cast on her skin by Ares’ aura faded away.
Argos and Chase landed on the surface of the planet aboard the Dark Star. They exited the vessel and walked towards a giant construction made of dark, grey, tall walls in the distance.
“We’ll only have one shot at this,” said Argos.
“Then let’s make it count!”
“That’s the spirit. Just like old times.”
“I wouldn’t know.”
They arrived at a gate. A hologram appeared, projecting some symbols Chase couldn’t read. Argos took a small, spherical device and threw it in the air, where it hovered.
“Aphroditis is up.”
Chase preferred not to reveal for the moment that he could speak to her anytime, so he placed the call.
“Can you decipher this for us?” he asked.
“It’s written in old Olympian. It says: Only through the powers of the elements can you hope to defeat the Titan.”
“What’s a Titan?” asked Chase.
“You’ll see soon enough,” said Argos. “Let’s go. This is bullshit. We just need to destroy it.”
“It must be a clue, and since you were defeated the last time, you may want to listen to the clue and see how it applies.”
“Sheer force always does the job in my experience.”
“Like when I kicked your ass twice?”
Argos shot him an evil look.
“You kinda walked into that one.”
“Perhaps. Shall we go get what we came for?” said Argos impatiently.
As they advanced towards the gate, it opened to reveal a long, tall corridor, illuminated by blue-flamed torches on the walls. After a minute of walking they arrived at another door. More glyphs were engraved on the right side of the wall.
“Aphroditis?”
“It says: Point of no return. If you value your life, turn back now.”
“Sound advice. Too bad it’s not an option today,” said Chase
“Let’s go, already. There’s a beast behind these doors. We just defeat it and you’ll have your precious Sarah back in your arms in no time.”
“If we survive this.”
“Neither of us has any choice but to survive and prevail.”
They stepped forward and the door disappeared as if it wasn’t there in the first place. They entered the arena. Its sheer size was impressive. The walls were as tall as some of the highest skyscrapers on Earth. A thin layer of fog lay on the ground. Chase saw the four different altars. One by the entrance, one at the other end of the gigantic arena and two near each of the walls, about halfway down the length of the arena.
“I think these things are needed for us to defeat the Titan,” said Chase, pointing towards the nearest altar, with a yellow, shining sphere of energy hovering over it and with glowing runes above it.
This was the place from Aphroditis’ vision, but this time she could read it.
“Blue is air, green is water, red is fire and yellow is earth.”
“How do we use them?”
“I have no idea, but I think you need to figure it out.”
“That’s nonsense,” shouted Argos. “We do this my way. We just attack the beast full force.”
“I don’t think that’s wise.”
The ground started shaking and a giant door at the other end of the arena opened to reveal a giant shadow with red, glowing eyes.
“You can’t be serious!” said Chase.
“Not the right time to be afraid.”
“Do you see the size of this . . . thing?”
“I fought it before, remember?”
“And lost, a fact you seem to forget.”
“Well, that’s why you’re here this time around.”
Chase’s heart rate increased, and while he knew he possessed incredible powers, the sight of the Titan, in the shadows no less, was enough to freeze his blood.
The Titan took a couple of steps forward and soon the details emerged. He was humanoid in shape—two legs, two arms—but his body appeared to be made of stone, the same dark-grey color as the stones from which the arena had been built.
“How fast is this thing?”
“Way faster than it looks.”
“Great.”
“I suggest you enter rage mode immediately.”
“What? I can’t just flip a switch!”
“You’d better hope you can reach this arcane level of yours, fast.”
“Right, we still have time. It’s still far a—”
But before he could finish his sentence the eyes of the Titan flashed brightly and it started running towards them at impossible speed for a being its size. The ground shook so much that both Argos and Chase lost balance after just a few of the creature’s steps hit the ground.
Not wasting time trying to regain their balance, they both launched into the air and flew towards the Titan.
“We attack him together. It’s important he doesn’t fixate on either one of us,” said Argos.
They stopped a good fifty yards from the Titan and created fireballs in their hands.
“Now!”
Both Chase and Argos sent their attacks in sync: two fireballs, one red, one blue, impacted with the Titan’s head and created a huge explosion. When the dust settled, though, nothing had happened. The Titan’s eyes flashed again and two rays of light fired from them. It took both brothers their
top speed to dodge the incoming attack, missing them only by inches.
“Well, that didn’t work very well, now did it?” said Chase.
“We have to keep at it, and you need to power up, Laiyos!”
“I wished you’d stop calling me by that name.”
“Now is not the ti—”
But Argos never finished his sentence. The Titan had smashed him with the back of his hand and sent him rebounding against the nearest wall.
Chase lost no time preparing his next wave of attacks. He unleashed a flurry of powerful fireballs towards the beast’s head. It lost balance and fell on its back, as everything around them trembled.
A quick look at Argos revealed he was barely regaining consciousness.
“You okay?” inquired Chase.
“I’ll live. Keep at it! Don’t worry about me.”
Easy for you to say, thought Chase. He hated the fact that his life was linked to Sarah’s. He didn’t intend to let him die, not today; not until they had accomplished their objective and he’d rescued Sarah.
As the Titan rose, it unleashed a deafening growl. Chase launched himself at its head with a powerful kick. But when it found its target nothing happened except that a tremendous amount of pain jolted back through Chase’s body.
Ouch! Now that wasn’t fun at all.
The Titan unleashed another attack from its eyes and Chase was nearly caught by it. He managed to dodge it at the last possible moment. He could smell his shirt burning. The Titan launched itself into the air towards Chase. The speed at which this monstrosity was coming at him simply defied logic. It took Chase by surprise and, like his brother before him, he took the Titan’s punch right in the face. The pain traversing his body was amongst the worst he had ever felt. He crashed to the ground with tremendous velocity and felt three of his ribs crack.
“This is a nightmare! How can we defeat such a beast?”
By the time Chase got to his feet the Titan had already launched a powerful blow towards Argos, who blocked the attack with both hands extended in front of him and by using his telekinetic abilities. Red lightning crackled between his hands and that of the Titan.
“Whenever you feel like it! I won’t be able to hold him like this for very long.”
Chase concentrated his energy to the maximum and loaded his fists with radiating blue light. His aura grew quickly, and soon he was flying towards the Titan’s solar plexus at max speed, both fists extended in front of him.
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